Pups News Page

CONGRATULATIONS LEO - Leo, raised by our AC Jody McCain, passed his IFT on 05/06/08 and is In For Training. Congratulations to Jody and Leo!

CONGRATULATIONS LIPTON - Lipton, raised by Catherine & Keara Van Nevel, passed his IFT on 05/06/08 and is In For Training. Congratulations to the Van Nevel's and Lipton!

CONGRATULATIONS CINDY - Cindy graduated with her new partner on 04/26/08 and will start her new life as a working guide in New York. Cindy was started as a puppy by Margie Coccodrilli who gave her a wonderful foundation. Cindy was the fourth GEB puppy raised by Margie and her husband, Lou. After several months, Cindy was home changed to Pam Cooper and her husband, Jim. The Coopers built on her great start and finished a very nice puppy ready to go into training. Cindy was the third GEB puppy raised by Pam and Jim. The graduation was attended by all of her proud raisers and we look forward to hearing all about it. Congratulations to all of you in this great success story.

WELCOME EDWIN - Edwin, an 11 month old black Labrador was started by Kathleen Hayward in Maine with the intention of home changing him to Jody McCain once she finished raising Leo. Edwin will be the sixth puppy raised by Jody. We want to thank Kathleen and Steve for giving him such a great start (he went through his first Walk and Talk in Montgomery Region on Friday with Kathleen). We also want to thank Pam and Jim Cooper for taking him this week until after Leo leaves for his IFT. Welcome Edwin!

WELCOME JAMIE - Jaime, a yellow, female Labrador will be coming to the Montgomery Region. Jamie will be the second GEB puppy raised by Keara Van Nevel and the Van Nevel family. This puppy is special because it is another Reba puppy (raised by Kelsey Meyer) and, therefore, is Lipton's half-sister. Lipton will have a couple of weeks before he goes back to New York to show Jaime how to be a good GEB puppy.

NEWS FROM TREASURE - Treasure entered the training program in New York after passing the IFT on 04/08/08. Treasure, a black, female Labrador, was the first GEB puppy raised by John Kennedy with the help of his children, Claire, Krystal and William. We want to thank and congratulate John and his children on Treasure's success!!

NEWS FROM NAPA - Napa passed her IFT on 04/08/08 and is in the formal training program at Guiding Eyes. Margie Coccodrilli took Napa as a home change puppy and raised her until it was time for her to return to New York. Napa was the fifth puppy raised by Margie. What a wonderful job Margie did with Napa - congratulations to both of you

NEWS FROM LAUREL - Laurel, the first GEB puppy raised by Sue and Tom Geary passed her IFT on 04/08/08 and is currently being assessed for the breeding program by Jane R. Laurel, a female, black Labrador will either be selected as a brood or will go into training. Either way, we congratulate Sue, Tom, and Laurel for doing such a great job!!

WELCOME GEOFFREY - Geoffrey will be introduced to first-time raisers, Sue-anne and Samantha Slonin. Geoffrey is a male, yellow Labrador retriever. The Montgomery Region welcomes Sue-anne, Samantha and Geoffrey.

WELCOME KESTREL - Robin and Mark Swope will be raising their second Guiding Eyes German Shepherd puppy, Kestrel. Kestrel is only the third German Shepherd puppy raised in the Montgomery Region. We are happy to welcome back Robin and Mark as puppy raisers and look forward to seeing Kestrel.

NEWS FROM LIMA - On Saturday, March 29th, Lima graduated with her new partner. Lima, a yellow, female lab, was the first Guiding Eyes puppy raised by Skip and Davi Fonner. Lima will be living in New York following the graduation. We want to congratulate Lima, Skip and Davi and wish Lima success in her new working career!

NEWS FROM SANCHO - Sancho has officially started his training in New York. The decision was made for him to work on a career as a future guide instead of going into the breeding program. Sancho, a German Shepherd, was the first GEB puppy raised by Robin and Mark Swope. We look forward to hearing about his progress in training and want to thank Robin and Mark for giving him a great start.

NEWS FROM ELWOOD - Elwood was released from training for medical reasons. Elwood, a black, male lab, was the second GEB puppy raised by Kelsey and Linda Meyer. Elwood will make a wonderful addition to a family thanks to the wonderful foundation he received with the Meyer family.

WELCOME BARLOW - Barlow is a male, yellow lab who will be raised by Miriam and Sean Grogan. Barlow is also the second Guiding Eyes puppy raised by the Grogans. A big welcome to Barlow and welcome back to Miriam and Sean - we are very happy you have come back to raise again!

WELCOME ABILENE - Abilene is a female, black lab who will be raised by John Kennedy. Abilene will be the second Guiding Eyes puppy raised by John and his children. Welcome to Abilene - officially our smallest puppy in the region. (at least for now)

NEWS FROM FIONA - Fiona, a black, female lab who was started as a young puppy by Dana Staats and her mom, Tacoma Strange. Fiona was the first GEB puppy raised by Dana and Tacoma. After a few months, she was home changed to Pam and Jim Cooper who raised her until it was time for her to return to Guiding Eyes. Fiona was the fourth puppy raised by Pam and Jim. We want to thank and congratulate all of you who have worked so hard to help ensure Fiona's success.

NEWS FROM LOPEZ - Lopez, a black, male lab raised by Teri Malley. Lopez was the first Guiding Eyes puppy raised by Teri. We want to thank Teri for raising such a nice boy and our congratulations to both Lopez and Teri on Tuesday's IFT results.

NEWS FROM ARIEL - Also returning to her raisers this week will be Ariel. Ariel was recently retired from guide work and was adopted by her raisers, Jim and Cindy Lessig. Ariel was the second GEB puppy raised by Jim and Cindy who took Ariel as a home change puppy early in her training and she successfully completed training and graduated. Jim and Cindy will be reunited with Ariel this weekend. Welcome home, Ariel!

NEWS FROM VANGIE - If you are traveling in the Olney area, don't be surprised if you see some familiar four-legged, furry faces. Recently, Vangie decided that guide work wasn't her destiny. She was adopted by her raisers, Jackie and Justin Gorinson and was welcomed back home. Vangie was the first GEB puppy raised by Justin and Jackie and we want to thank Jackie for all of the puppy sitting she has done while Vangie was in New York deciding her future. Welcome home, Vangie!

NEWS FROM PACER - This month Pacer has earned his GEB Puppy-in-training jacket. Pacer is the second puppy raised by Ann and Jamshed Mulla. The new service vests are still scheduled to get to the regions early this year.

NEWS FROM SANCHO - We are proud to announce that Sancho passed his IFT on Tuesday. Sancho was the first GEB puppy raised by Robin and Mark Swope. He was also only the second German Shepherd puppy raised in the Montgomery Region. Apparently Sancho caught Jane R's attention because she decided to put him on breed watch. So, we will wait to hear if he enters the breeding program or goes into formal training. Congratulations to Sancho and his raisers, Robin and Mark

NEWS FROM COMET - Comet was the first Montgomery Region puppy to pass the IFT's in 2008! Comet was the third puppy raised by Susan Kolodziejczyk. Susan raised Comet until August when she needed to focus more on the upcoming birth of her new daughter, Joanne (born in December). Fortunately for all, Beverly Camalier and her husband, Keith, agreed to take Comet as a home-change puppy and raised him until he went back to New York in January. Congratulations to all for a job well done!

NEWS FROM EVA & IDA - We have two more girls sporting the training jackets this month. Eva is the fifth puppy raised by Bill and Linda Ratcliff. Joining her will be Ida, the fifth puppy raised by Shoshana Greenland and the Greenland family. Seventy-five percent of our puppies are jacketed right now - we look forward to seeing those new service vests promised for 2008!

NEWS FROM PRISCILLA - Priscilla is looking for an alternate career. Priscilla is the first GEB puppy raised by Ann and Jamshed Mulla. After training in New York for the last couple of months, Priscilla has decided that guide work is not in her future. She is currently exploring other alternatives and we will let you know when she has chosen the career path that is right for her. We want to thank Ann and Jamshed for giving Priscilla such a great start. She will make someone very happy!

NEWS FROM VINCY - On December 19th, Vincy graduated from ATF as an Explosives Detection Canine. Vincy was the fourth puppy raised by Jody McCain. After graduation, Vincy will head off with his partner to Indonesia where he will work with the Indonesian police force. We wish Vincy and his new handler all the best in their working partnership protecting the Indonesian people as well as Americans traveling to the country!

NEWS FROM WYLA - We recently received word from New York that Wyla has chosen an alternate career. Wyla was the fourth puppy raised by Shoshana Greenland and the Greenland family. Wyla will be matched with a private adoption family soon and we look forward to hearing how she is enjoying her new life as a beloved family pet. We want to thank Shoshana and her family for giving her such a wonderful foundation - there will be one lucky family getting a holiday treat this year!

WELCOME CARLY and SALLY HOBAUGH - Our newest pup, Carly, a black female arrived on Friday 11/16 and will be raised by Sally Hobaugh. Welcome Carly and Sally to the region.

NEWS FROM OLAF - Olaf passed his In-for-training test on 11/13. Olaf was the first GEB puppy raised by Miriam and Sean Grogan. Olaf is also being considered for the breeding stock at Guiding Eyes, so we will have to wait a little longer to see if he will go into the breeding program or into formal guide dog training. We will keep you posted. For now, we are very proud of Miriam, Sean, and Olaf.

NEWS FROM JP - JP was released for medical reasons. JP was raised for several months here in the region by Sue and Don Woodruff. He was home changed to Ohio where he will return as a pet. We want to thank Sue and Don for giving JP such a great start.

CONGRATULATIONS ARIEL - Congratulations to Ariel who graduated on 10/26/07 as part of the Action program with her partner Ann. Ariel was raised by Jim and Cindy Lessig. Jim and Cindy also raised Upton, who is a working guide in PA. Ariel will be living with 3 other dogs (one retired guide and two pets) and will travel a great deal. She is scheduled to go on vacation to the Turks & Caicos islands in early January. Jule Ann's last guide visited Disney World 5 times. She will be living the good life while she does her job.

CONGRATULATIONS ELLA - Congratulations to Ella who earned her GEB In Training Jacket during the month of October.

CONGRATULATIONS NILLA - On October 4th Nilla had 9 healthy puppies who are doing well and she is taking to motherhood very well. Nilla was the fourth GEB puppy raised by Linda and Bill Ratcliff. Nilla had quite an assortment of pups: 2 black males, 4 black females, 1 yellow male and 2 yellow females. They are a "G" litter, so all names will start with a "G". This is Nilla's first litter and we look forward to seeing how her pups do. Congratulations to Nilla and proud grandparents, Linda and Bill!

CONGRATULATIONS MACKENZIE - MacKenzie passed her In-for-training test on 9/25. MacKenzie is the first Guiding Eyes puppy raised by Helene and Gail Rosendorf and the Rosendorf family. MacKenzie will join her sister, Madison, who was home changed and finished by Pat Clark. We want to thank Helene and Gail and their family for all of their hard work. Congratulations to all of you for raising a puppy for the Montgomery Region.

CONGRATULATIONS JP - JP also passed his In-for-training test on 9/25. JP was started here in the Montgomery Region by Sue Woodruff and her husband, Don. JP was also the first GEB puppy raised by Sue and Don. JP was home changed to the Ohio region after getting off to a wonderful start here. We look forward to hearing about his progress and want to also congratulate Sue, Don and JP for a job well done.

CONGRATULATIONS VIVIANN - Congratulations to Viviann who earned her GEB In Training Jackets during the month of September.

CONGRATULATIONS FABIO - Fabio, raised by Terry Cohen & Marcie Cynamon, graduated ATF on September 12th as a certified explosives detection canine. He is partnered with Special Agent G. Whittaker of the State of Tennessee Fire Marshal's Office Bomb and Arson Section.

WELCOME ARLENE and BERT SPILKER - On 09/02/07, Gwenyth, a female, yellow Labrador came to new raisers, Arlene and Bert Spilker. Congratulations and welcome to Arlene, Bert and Gwenyth!

WELCOME KAREN and NORA SANDLER - On Sunday 08/26/07, Kevin was home changed to Karen and Nora Sandler. Kevin is the first GEB puppy raised by the Sandler family. We want to thank Rachel and Kris Baum for giving Kevin such a great start and a wonderful puppy for the Sandler's.

CONGRATULATIONS ELWOOD - Elwood also made us proud by passing his IFT on 08/28/07. Elwood is the second puppy raised by Kelsey and Linda Meyer and the Meyer family. They have already received their next puppy, Faith, who we are sure will do as well as Reba and Elwood!

CONGRATULATIONS LIMA - Lima passed her IFT on 08/28/07 and will be entering formal training. Lima was the first GEB puppy raised by Skip Fonner and his wife Davi. Congratulations to all on representing the Montgomery Region so well!

NEWS FROM ALFRED - Recently we notified everybody that Alfred had decided guide work wasn't for him and he was considering other options. Well, he has made a decision and will join the Westchester County Police Force in New York. Alfred is the 5th puppy raised by Kathleen and Steve Hayward. Congratulations to all on finding the perfect match for Alfred!

CONGRATULATIONS FIONA, LEO & LIPTON - Congratulations to all these pups who recently earned their GEB In Training Jackets in the month of August.

WELCOME BEVERLY & KEITH - With the home change of Comet, we have good news and bad. The good news is that Comet will be staying in the Montgomery Region because Beverly Camalier and her husband, Keith, have agreed to finish him. The bad news, of course, is that we will not have Beverly and Keith as puppy sitters. So, first we want to thank you both for the many puppy sits you have done over the last year. Second, we are very grateful that you have agreed to take Comet so he will remain with us here in the region. Welcome new raisers Beverly and Keith!

NEWS FROM COMET - Comet is on the move this month. Comet is the third GEB puppy raised by Susan Kolodziejczyk. After raising Comet for the last year, Susan decided it was time to home change him - for a very good reason. Susan will be busy getting the nursery ready for her own little one! We want to congratulate Susan on her fantastic news and look forward to a new member of the Montgomery Region. Fortunately, Susan has agreed to remain an active member of the region, so we look forward to seeing her in new roles.